Sharing our stories

[Alissa]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Alissa and I am a graduate student of journalism in NYC.
I am doing my thesis project on international matching-making and marriage agencies, particularly between the US and former Soviet Union.
I became interested in this topic while I was obtaining a visa for my husband (he is Russian) and meeting a lot of people who were meeting women abroad.
I am looking to speak with a couple here in New York that can talk about their experience. Why did you become interested in this? How did you meet and what was it like to move to another culture, etc?
Please contact me if you live in NYC and would like to talk about your story.
You can reach me by email: alissaphoto@gmail.com
Thank you!
Alissa

[Vaughn]

Good luck with your project, Alissa, and welcome to RWD.

[viking]

Alissa, do you speak Russian?

[Alissa]

Thank you. Please let me know if you have any ideas.

[Misha]

There is a lot of academic research that has already been published on the topic. The one that seems cited most often is Wedded Strangers: The Challenges of Russian-American Marriages.

[GoodOlBoy]

The one that seems cited most often is Wedded Strangers: The Challenges of Russian-American Marriages.

I read this book Misha!!
And I also gave it to my Marina when I was in Omsk living there for 90 days.
She also read it.

One reviewer:

This is a book I should have read four months ago, before my now ex-wife arrived in the U.S. on her fiancee visa. My best friend for the last few years has been a Russian woman I work with, but even that close friendship did not prepare me for the many surprises that followed my fiancee's arrival here. This book would have prepared me for 80% of the disconcerting differences I became aware of, and the understanding that the differences were cultural might possibly have made all the difference in the outcome of our relationship. Though the book is interesting and was enjoyable, it is not a book to read for fun - that is not its intention. It is a book written to educate people on what lies in store for you if you enter a Russian-American marriage, and I can attest to its accuracy and relevance. If you are an American and you think you love a Russian, or vice versa, I cannot recommend this book to you highly enough. If your partner does not read English well, I hope the book is available in Russian!


GOB

[Misha]

I read this book Misha!!
And I also gave it to my Marina when I was in Omsk living there for 90 days.
She also read it.

I will have to find a copy and read it myself.

[SFandEE]

If your partner does not read English well, I hope the book is available in Russian!

GOB

http://lexiconbridge.com/lbpbooks.htm

Another poster on Amazon suggested a link to Lexicon Bridge and they have this book listed under Russian books, but do not make it clear if it is translated into Russian or just on Russian culture.  It looks like the Blue covered book might be the Russian version of this book.  Some of the reviews suggest it is  bit dated with not many modern couples discussed, but they reviews are mostly positive about the quality of the information.

I also get the sense from the reviews that negotiating the differences between the two cultures is considered more problematic than perhaps differences between other cultures.

[OlgaH]

http://lexiconbridge.com/lbpbooks.htm

Another poster on Amazon suggested a link to Lexicon Bridge and they have this book listed under Russian books, but do not make it clear if it is translated into Russian or just on Russian culture.  It looks like the Blue covered book might be the Russian version of this book.  Some of the reviews suggest it is  bit dated with not many modern couples discussed, but they reviews are mostly positive about the quality of the information.

Though the book "Wedded Strangers" is listed under Russian books it is in English. I have the same book. The blue one is in Russian "Russian problems in English Speech: Words and Phrases in the context of two cultures"

http://lexiconbridge.com/books/visson_rp.htm
Russkie problemy deals with those problems encountered daily by hundreds of English-speaking Russian students, teachers, interpreters and translators, businessmen, diplomats, emigres, and visitors to the US. The book is intended for those Russian speakers who already have a grasp of basic English grammar and vocabulary. Examples of incorrect and correct use of English vocabulary, idiom and grammar are taken from a variety of Russian and American sources. The book explores the impact of oral/linguistic communication and body language in business and social situations such as a telephone conversation, a job interview or a dinner party

[Alissa]

Thank you for the book suggestion. I am still interested in speaking with couples.
I do speak some Russia, but not fluently.

Please contact me if you would be willing to talk about your experience.

Thanks!

Alissa

[Misha]

My name is Alissa and I am a graduate student of journalism in NYC.
...
You can reach me by email: alissaphoto@gmail.com

I am curious though, as to whether you have to go through ethics clearance at s NYC university when doing a research project for a graduate thesis. Generally, you  have to provide more disclosure when seeking informants for a research project (name of university, etc...) or will you provide this information if we send you an email?

[Alissa]

I can answer any questions you have when you email me.

[GoodOlBoy]

to RWD Alissa.

You definitely need to interview BillyB the wonderboy for your book.

Here is some of his work:
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=11638.0

Enjoy! :evil:

GOB

[Kuna]

to RWD Alissa.

You definitely need to interview BillyB the wonderboy for your book.

Here is some of his work:
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=11638.0

Enjoy! :evil:

GOB

Good grief...

Alissa,  please be very aware the thought process displayed in Billy's thread IS NOT TYPICAL.

He would be a very interesting study case though...  if you had time to unravel his story.